North America Distribution

Facts About

Furbish's lousewort remains one of the best-known beneficiaries of the federal endangered species act, having been thought extinct and then rediscovered during environmental impact studies for a hydroelectric project in Maine in the 1970s. It was one of the first plants listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Confined to ice-scoured banks of the St. John River in northern Maine and adjacent New Brunswick, there are a few thousand individuals in about two dozen populations. It is a hemiparasite, obtaining some nutrients from the roots of a host plant, but also performing its own photosynthesis.

Habitat

Floodplain (river or stream floodplains), meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes, shrublands or thickets

Characteristics

Habitat

terrestrial

wetlands

New England state

Maine

Flower petal color

yellow

Leaf type

the leaves are simple (lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)

Leaf arrangement

alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem

Leaf blade edges

the edge of the leaf blade has lobes, or it has both teeth and lobes

Flower symmetry

there is only one way to evenly divide the flower (the flower is bilaterally symmetrical)

Flowers

the anthers have narrow slits or furrows that run cross-wise across the anthers

Anther tube length

0 mm

Calyx growth after flowering

the calyx does not grow to cover or partially cover the fruit

Calyx symmetry

there is only one way to evenly divide the calyx (the calyx is bilaterally symmetrical)

Carpels fused

the carpels are fused to one another

Cilia on petals

the petal margins do not have cilia

Cleistogamous flowers

there are no cleistogamous flowers on the plan

Corolla morphology

the flower has a concave, hood-like, upper lip

the flower has two prominent lips

Corolla palate

no

Corona lobe length

0 mm

Epicalyx

the flower does not have an epicalyx

Epicalyx number of parts

0

Filament surface

the filament is smooth, with no hairs or scales

Flower description

the flower has a superior ovary, and lacks a hypanthium

Flower orientation

the flower points upwards or is angled outwards

Flower petal color

yellow

Flower reproductive parts

the flower has both pollen- and seed-producing parts

Flower symmetry

there is only one way to evenly divide the flower (the flower is bilaterally symmetrical)

Flowers sunken into stem

no

Form of style

the style is knob-like at the tip, and unbranched

Fringed petal edges

the petals are not fringed

Fused stamen clusters

NA

Fusion of sepals and petals

the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube

Hairs on flower stalk

the flower stalk has hairs on it

Hairs on inflorescence

the axis of the inflorescence has hairs entirely without glands

Horns in hoods (Asclepias)

NA

Hypanthium

the flower does not have a hypanthium

Hypanthium length

0 mm

Inflorescence one-sided

the flowers are arrayed in a spiral around the inflorescence axis or branches, or occur singly, or in several ranks

Inflorescence width

30–50 mm

Inner tepals (Rumex)

NA

Interior flower disk

the flower does not have an interior disc

Length of flower stalk

1–6 mm

Marks on petals

there are no noticeable marks on the petals

Nectar spur

the flower has no nectar spurs

Number of branches in umbel

0

Number of carpels

2

Number of pistils

1

Number of sepals, petals or tepals

there are four petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower

there are two petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower

Number of styles

1

Ovary position

the ovary is above the point of petal and/or sepal attachment

Perianth shape

the perianth is campanulate (bell-shaped, with a tube about as long as wide, flaring at the mouth)

the perianth is cylindric (tube-shaped)

Petal and sepal arrangement

the flower includes two cycles of petal- or sepal-like structures

Petal and sepal colors

yellow

Petal appearance

the petals are thin and delicate, and pigmented (colored other than green or brown)

Petal base

NA

the petal narrows gradually or does not narrow at the base

Petal folding in bud

the petals in bud are arranged in a cycle with edges overlapping like roof shingles (imbricate)

Petal glandular dots or scales

no

Petal hairs (Viola)

NA

Petal hairs on inner/upper surface

there are no hairs on the inner/upper petal surface

Petal length

16–20 mm

Petal length relative to sepals

the petals are longer than the sepals

Petal nectaries

the petals do not have nectaries

Petal number

2–4

Petal shape

the petal outline is another shape

Petal tip shape

the petal tip is lobed or fringed

the petal tip is truncate (ends abruptly in a more or less straight line as though cut off)

Petal tips (Cuscuta)

NA

Raceme attachment (Veronica)

NA

Reproductive system

all the flowers have both carpels and stamens (synoecious)

Scales inside corolla

no

Sepal and petal color

the sepals are different from the petals

Sepal appearance

the sepals are green or brown, and leaf-like in texture

Sepal appendages

the sepals do not have appendages on them

Sepal appendages (Oenothera)

NA

Sepal auricles

the sepals have no auricles

Sepal cilia

the sepals do not have cilia

Sepal color

green to brown

Sepal features

NA

Sepal length

4–6 mm

Sepal number

5

Sepal orientation

the sepals are pressed against the corolla, or jutting stiffly upward

Sepal relative length

the sepal lobes are shorter than the fused portion

Sepal shape

the sepal outline is oblong (rectangular, but with rounded ends)

Sepal texture

the sepals are either very thin but flexible, like a membrane, or they are leaf-like in texture

Sepal tip shape

the sepal tip is lobed or fringed

Sepal uniformity

all the sepals are about the same size

Sepals fused only to sepals

the sepals are fused to each other (not other flower parts), at least near their bases

Spur length

0 mm

Spur number

NA

Stamen appendages

stamen appendages are absent

Stamen attachment

the stamens are attached at or near the bases of the petals or tepals

the stamens are attached at or near the bases of the petals or tepals

Stamen lengths differ

the stamens are didynamous (two long stamens and two short ones)

Stamen morphology

the stamens within a cycle differ in length or width

Stamen number

4

Stamen position relative to petals

NA

Stamen relative length

anything

Stamens fused

the stamens are not attached to one another

Staminodes

there are no staminodes on the flower

Stigma position

the stigmas are positioned at the tip of the style

Style petal-like

the styles are not petal-like

Style relative length

the stigma protrudes beyond the mouth of the corolla

Umbel flower reproductive parts

NA

Upper lip of bilabiate corolla

the upper lip of the bilabiate corolla has one lobe

Fruits or seeds

Achene relative orientation

NA

Achene shape

NA

Achene surface (Polygonum)

NA

Achene type

NA

Berry color

NA

Capsule color (Viola)

NA

Capsule ribs

the capsule has two prominent ribs or wings

Capsule splitting

the capsule splits by two main valves, teeth or pores

Fruit (pyxis) dehiscence

NA

Fruit cross-section

the fruit is at least somewhat flattened

Fruit features (Brassicaceae)

NA

Fruit length relative to sepals

the fruit is longer than its associated sepals

Fruit locules

two

Fruit shape

the fruit is ovoid (egg-shaped)

Fruit stalk orientation

the fruits point upward or spread or curve outward

Fruit type (general)

the fruit is dry and splits open when ripe

Fruit type (specific)

the fruit is a capsule (splits along two or more seams, apical teeth or pores when dry, to release two or more seeds)

Hair type on fruit

NA

Hairs on fruit

the fruits are not hairy

Legumes (Fabaceae)

NA

Mericarp length

0 mm

Mericarp segment shape (Desmodium)

NA

Other markings on berry

NA

Ovary stipe

the ovary or fruit does not have a stipe

Ovary stipe length

0 mm

Placenta arrangement

the plant has axile placentation, in which the ovules are attached where the septa of a compound ovary are united, usually on the central axis, or to the septa themselves

Rows of seeds in fruit (Brassicaceae)

NA

Schizocarpic fruit compression

NA

Schizocarpic fruit segments

0

Seeds comose

no hairs

Septum in fruit (Brassicaceae)

NA

Wings on fruit

the fruit does not have wings on it

prickles on fruits

the fruits do not have thorn-like defensive structures

Glands or sap

Glands on leaf blade

the leaf blades do not have glandular dots or scales

Sap

the sap is clear and watery

Sap color

the sap is clear

Growth form

Growth form

the plant is an herb (it has self-supporting stems)

Horizontal rooting stem

the plant does not have stolons

Lifespan

the plant lives more than two years

Parasitism

the plant is not parasitic

the plant is parasitic on other plants (partially or completely dependent on other plants to supply nutrients)

Plant color

the leaves or young stems of the plant are green

Plants darken when dry

yes

Spines on plant

the plant has no spines

Underground organs

there are only slender roots on the plant

Leaves

Bracteole edges

NA

Bracteole length

0 mm

Bracteole number (Apiaceae)

0

Bracteole shape

NA

Bracteoles

there are no bracteoles on the plant

Bracts in plantain (Plantago)

NA

Final leaf segment length (compound lvs only)

0 mm

Final leaf segment length to width ratio (compound lvs only)

0

Final leaf segment width (compound lvs only)

0 mm

Floral bract texture

the floral bracts are green, with a leaf-like texture

Floral bracts

the flower has one or more bracts associated with it

Hairs on leaf stalk

the petiole has hairs on it

Hairs on underside of leaf

the underside of the leaf is fuzzy or hairy

the underside of the leaf is not hairy, or it has very few hairs

Hairs on upper side of leaf

the upper side of the leaf is fuzzy or hairy

the upper side of the leaf is not hairy, or it has very few hairs

Hooked hairs on underside of leaf

no

Inflated hairs on leaf

the leaf blade does not have inflated hairs on it

Leaf arrangement

alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem

Leaf blade base

the leaf has a distinct leaf stalk (petiole)

the leaf has no stalk

Leaf blade base shape

the base of the leaf blade is cuneate (wedge-shaped, tapers to the base with relatively straight, converging edges), or narrow

the base of the leaf blade is truncate (ends abruptly in a more or less straight line as though cut off)

Leaf blade base symmetry

the leaf blade base is symmetrical

Leaf blade bloom

the underside of the leaf has no noticeable bloom

Leaf blade edges

the edge of the leaf blade has lobes, or it has both teeth and lobes

Leaf blade flatness

the leaf is flat (planar) at the edges

Leaf blade hairs

NA

the leaf blade has simple hairs with no glands, and not tangled or wooly

Leaf blade length

40–200 mm

Leaf blade primary vein pattern

the secondary veins branch off at intervals from the primary vein

Leaf blade shape

the leaf blade is lanceolate (lance-shaped; widest below the middle and tapering at both ends)

Leaf blade surface colors

the upper side of the leaf blade is relatively uniform in color

Leaf blade texture

the leaf blade is herbaceous (has a leafy texture)

Leaf blade vein pattern

the major veins of the leaf blade branch, but do not rejoin

Leaf blade veins

the leaf blade has one main vein running from the base towards the tip (it may or may not have secondary veins)

Leaf blade width

20–50 mm

Leaf duration

the leaves drop off in winter (or they whither but persist on the plant)

Leaf form

the leaves are green, with an expanded blade and a leaf-like texture

Leaf hair orientation

the hairs are standing up straight or curved in different directions

Leaf sheath length

0 mm

Leaf shiny

the upper side of the leaf is dull or slightly shiny

Leaf spines

there are no spines on the leaf edges

Leaf stalk

the leaves have leaf stalks

Leaf stalk attachment to leaf

the petiole attaches at the basal margin of the leaf blade

Leaf stalk base

the petiole base is narrow where it attaches to the stem

Leaf teeth and lobes

the leaf blade margin has forward-pointing teeth

the leaf has a row of two or more lobes on each side of the central axis

the leaf has a row of two or more lobes on each side of the central axis, and each lobe itself has rows of lobes on each side of the lobe's central axis

Leaf tip

the tip of the leaf blade is acute (sharply pointed)

Leaf type

the leaves are simple (lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)

Leaf types

There is a gradual change in appearance of the leaves from the base (or near the base) of the plant to those from further up on the stem, with leaves progressively changing as one moves higher on the stem (often becoming shorter, or less toothed/lobed, and/or with shorter petioles).

Leaf variation

the lower leaves are larger, toothier, and/or on longer stalks than the upper leaves

Leaflet number

0

Leaflet petiolules

NA

Leaves per node

there is one leaf per node along the stem

Pinnately compound leaf type

NA

Specific leaf type

the leaves are simple (lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)

Stipels

NA

Stipule edges

NA

Stipule features

NA

Stipule fused to leaf stalk

NA

Stipule length

0 mm

Stipule shape

NA

Stipules

there are no stipules on the plant

Teeth per side of leaf blade

0

Place

Habitat

terrestrial

wetlands

New England state

Maine

Specific habitat

meadows or fields

river or stream floodplains

shores of rivers or lakes

shrublands or thickets

Scent

Plant odor

the plant does not have much of a smell

Stem, shoot, branch

Branched tendrils

NA

Direction of stem hairs

NA

the hairs point mostly upwards to outwards

Flowering stem cross-section

the flowering stem is circular, or with lots of small angles so that it is roughly circular

Hair between stem nodes

the stem has hairs between the nodes

the stem has no hairs between the nodes

Hairs between stem nodes

NA

the hairs on the stem are plain, without glands or branches, and not tangled

Hooked hairs on stem between nodes

no

Leaves on stem

there is at least one full leaf above the base of the flowering stem

Plant height

40–90 cm

Stem bloom

there is no powdery or waxy film on the stem

Stem hair distribution

NA

the hairs on the stem are distributed more of less uniformly

Stem nodes swollen

the stem is not swollen at the nodes

Stem orientation

the stems are upright or angled outwards

Stem roughness between nodes

the stem does not feel rough

Stem spacing

the plant is solitary, or a few plants are growing together

Stem succulence

the stems are not succulent

Tendril origin

NA

Tendrils

the plant does not have tendrils

Wings on stem

the stem does not have wings on it

Wetland Status

Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally in non-wetlands.
(Wetland indicator code:
FACW)

New England Distribution and Conservation Status

Distribution

Connecticut

absent

Maine

present

Massachusetts

absent

New Hampshire

absent

Rhode Island

absent

Vermont

absent

Conservation Status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to
state. For details, please check with your state.